An Unusual Presentation of Calciphylaxis

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

An Unusual Presentation of Calciphylaxis CASE LETTER An Unusual Presentation of Calciphylaxis Jessica Garelik, DO; Vitaly Terushkin, MD; Arielle Nagler, MD; Chris Hale, MD; Hideko Kamino, MD; Beth McLellan, MD calciphylaxis rarely can present with hemorrhagic or serous bullous lesions followed by ulceration, as was seen PRACTICE POINTS in our patient.1,5,6 We report this uncommon presentation • Calciphylaxis is a rare microvascular occlusion syn- to highlight the variety in clinical appearance of calciphy- drome characterized by cutaneous ischemia and laxis and the importancecopy of early diagnosis. necrosis secondary to calcification. A 43-year-old woman presented to the emergency • Clinically, lesions present with severely painful, department for evaluation of chest and abdominal violaceous, retiform patches and plaques, and less commonly bullae that progress to necrotic ulcers pain that began 1 day prior to presentation. She had on the buttocks, legs, or abdomen, which is most a history of systemic lupus erythematosus and ESRD often associated with end-stage renal disease secondarynot to poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and and hyperparathyroidism. was currently on peritoneal dialysis. The patient was • The diagnosis is made through deep wedge or exci- admitted for peritonitis and treated with broad-spectrum sional biopsy and shows calcification of medium-sized antibiotics. At the time of admission, the patient also vessels in the deep dermis and subcutaneous fat. was noted to have several painful bullae on the legs. Treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach, butDo Her medical history also was remarkable for cerebral morbidity and mortality remain high. infarction, fibromyalgia, cerebral artery occlusion with cerebral infarction, sciatica, hyperlipidemia, deep vein thrombosis, and seizures. She had no history of herpes simplex virus. Surgical history was remarkable for tubal ligation, nephrectomy and kidney transplant, parathy- To the Editor: roidectomy, and cholecystectomy. The patient’s medica- Calciphylaxis (also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy tions included sevelamer carbonate, prednisone, epogen, and calcifying panniculitis) is a rare vasculopathy affect- calcium carbonate, esomeprazole, ondansetron, topical ing the small vessels.1 It is characterized by cutaneous gentamicin, and atorvastatin. ischemia and necrosisCUTIS secondary to calcification. It is most Skin examination was performed by the inpatient der- commonly seen in patients with end-stage renal disease matology service and revealed several tense, 1- to 5-cm, (ESRD) and hyperparathyroidism.1-3 Histopathologic fea- nonhemorrhagic bullae on the thighs and lower legs, tures that are consistent with the diagnosis of calciphy- some that had ruptured. The lesions were notably tender laxis include calcification of medium-sized vessels in the to palpation. No surrounding erythema, ecchymosis, or deep dermis or subcutaneous fat as well as smaller distal warmth was appreciated. The Nikolsky sign was negative. vessels that supply the papillary dermis and epidermis.4,5 The patient also was noted to have at least grade 2 to 3+ Although it commonly presents as well-demarcated, pitting edema of the bilateral legs. The oral and conjunc- painful, purplish lesions that evolve into necrotic eschars, tival mucosae were unremarkable. Drs. Garelik and McLellan are from the Department of Dermatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York. Drs. Terushkin, Nagler, Hale, and Kamino are from The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York. The authors report no conflict of interest. Correspondence: Jessica Garelik, DO, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, 111 E 210th St, Bronx, NY 10467 ([email protected]). E24 I CUTIS® WWW.MDEDGE.COM/DERMATOLOGY Copyright Cutis 2020. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. CALCIPHYLAXIS Antinuclear antibody, double-stranded DNA, and 4% in those receiving dialysis.2-5 The average age at pre- anti-Smith antibody levels were negative. A punch biopsy sentation is 48 years.6,7 Although calciphylaxis has been of the left lateral thigh revealed intraepidermal vesicular noted to affect males and females equally, some studies dermatitis with dermal edema suggestive of edema bullae have suggested a female predominance.5-8 and direct immunofluorescence was negative for immune The etiology of calciphylaxis is unknown, but ESRD complex and complement deposition. requiring dialysis, primary or secondary hyperparathy- Conservative therapy with wound care was recom- roidism, obesity, diabetes mellitus, skin trauma, and/or a mended. The patient continued to report persistent severe hypercoagulable state may put patients at increased risk skin pain and developed a subcutaneous nodule on the for developing this disease.2,3 Other risk factors include right inner thigh 1 week later, prompting a second biopsy. systemic corticosteroids, liver disease, increased serum Results of the excisional biopsy were nondiagnostic but aluminum, and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. were suggestive of calciphylaxis, revealing subepider- Although high calcium-phosphate product has been mal bullae with epidermal necrosis, a scant perivascular noted as a risk factor in prior studies, one retrospective lymphocytic infiltrate, and extravasated erythrocytes. No study found that it does not reliably confirm or exclude a evidence of calcification was seen within the vessels. diagnosis of calciphylaxis.8 The patient was then started on sodium thiosulfate with The pathogenesis of calciphylaxis is not well under- hemodialysis for treatment of presumed calciphylaxis. stood; however, some researchers suggest that an imbal- Despite meticulous wound care and treatment with ance in calcium-phosphate homeostasis may lead to sodium thiosulfate, the patient developed ulcerations calciphylaxis; that is, elevated calcium and phosphate with necrotic eschars on the bilateral buttocks, hips, and levels exceed their solubility and deposit in the walls of thighs 1 month later (Figure 1). She subsequently wors- small- and medium-sized arteries, which consequently ened over the next few weeks. She developed sepsis and leads to ischemic necrosiscopy and gangrene of the surround- was transferred to the intensive care unit. A third biopsy ing tissue.9 was performed, finally confirming the diagnosis of cal- Clinically, calciphylaxis has an indolent onset and ciphylaxis. Histopathology revealed small blood vessels usually presents as well-demarcated, painful, purplish, with basophilic granular deposits in the walls consistent mottled lesions that evolve into necrotic gray-black with calcium in the subcutaneous tissue (highlighted with eschars and gangrene in adjacent tissues.1,5,6 The ischemic not 5 the von Kossa stain), as well as thrombi in the lumens of process may even extend to the muscle layer. Other com- some vessels; early fat necrosis; focal epidermal necrosis mon presentations include mild erythematous patches; with underlying congested blood vessels with deposits in livedo reticularis; painful nodules; necrotic ulcerating their walls; a perivascular infiltrate predominately of lym- lesions; and more rarely flaccid, hemorrhagic, or serous phocytes and neutrophils with scattered nuclear dust;Do and bullous lesions followed by ulceration, as was seen in thick, hyalinized, closely crowded collagen bundles in the our patient.6,9,10 Lesions usually begin at sites of trauma reticular dermis and in a widened subcutaneous septum and seem to be distributed symmetrically.5,6 The most (Figures 2 and 3). commonly affected locations are the legs, specifically Supportive care and pain control were continued, but the medial thighs, as well as the abdomen and buttocks, the overall prognosis was determined to be very poor, and but lesions also can be found at more distal sites such as the patient eventually was discharged to hospice and died. the breasts, tongue, vulva, penis, fingers, and toes.5,6,10 Although calciphylaxis is commonly seen in patients The head and neck region rarely is affected. Although with ESRD and hyperparathyroidism, patients with- uncommon, calciphylaxis may affect other organs, includ- out renal disease also may develop the condition.2,3 ing the lungs, stomach, kidneys, and adrenal glands.5 Prior epidemiologic studiesCUTIS have shown a prevalence of The accompanying systemic symptoms and findings may 1% in patients with chronic kidney disease and up to include muscle weakness, tenderness, or myositis with A B FIGURE 1. A and B, Rupture of nonhemorrhagic bullae on the left leg that evolved into ulcerations and necrotic eschars with surrounding purpura. WWW.MDEDGE.COM/DERMATOLOGY VOL. 105 NO. 3 I MARCH 2020 E25 Copyright Cutis 2020. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. CALCIPHYLAXIS A FIGURE 3. Calcium deposits were highlighted in the vessel walls (von Kossa, original magnification ×40). rhabdomyolysis; calcific cerebral embolism; dementia and infarction of the centralcopy nervous system; acute respiratory failure; heart disease; atrioventricular block; and calcifica- tion of the cardiac conduction system.6 Unlike other forms of peripheral vascular disease, distal pulses are present in calciphylaxis, as blood flow usually is preserved distal and deepnot to the areas of necrosis.5,6 A careful
Recommended publications
  • A Case of Calciphylaxis with an Unfavorable Outcome
    CASE LETTER 671 However, the present patient exhibited the peculiarity References of an intense inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis rarely seen previously. According to this case, an atypical intense 1. Sitaru C, Zillikens D. Mechanisms of blister induction by autoan- inflammation could be a distinct histopathological feature tibodies. Exp Dermatol. 2005;14:861---75. of trauma-induced pemphigus. Further research is neces- 2. Sagi L, Trau H. The Koebner phenomenon. Clin Dermatol. sary to ascertain if greater inflammation in dermis is more 2011;29:231---6. related to trauma-induced pemphigus as opposed to those 3. Jang HW, Chun SH, Lee JM, Jeon J, Hashimoto T, Kim IH. Radiotherapy-induced pemphigus vulgaris. J Dermatol. not related to trauma. 2014;41:851---2. In conclusion, this report describes a presumably new 4. Daneshpazhooh M, Fatehnejad M, Rahbar Z, Balighi K, case of trauma-induced pemphigus. To the author’s knowl- Ghandi N, Ghiasi M, et al. Trauma-induced pemphigus: a edge, there are no prior reports of pemphigus involving case series of 36 patients. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2016;14: predominantly the breasts with such a peculiar dispo- 166---71. sition. It is proposed that a hypothetical continuous 5. Balighi K, Daneshpazhooh M, Azizpour A, Lajevardi V, trauma with the bra could explain this unique loca- Mohammadi F, Chams-Davatchi C. Koebner phenomenon tion. in pemphigus vulgaris patients. JAAD Case Rep. 2016;2: 419---21. Financial support Fernando Garcia-Souto None declared. Department of Dermatology, Valme University Hospital, Seville, Spain Author’s contributions E-mail: [email protected] Received 14 November 2019; accepted 5 March 2020 Fernando Garcia-Souto: Conception and planning of the manuscript; writing and critical revision of the manuscript; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abd.2020.03.010 approval of the final version.
    [Show full text]
  • Extensive Skin Necrosis Ulcers and Systemic Vascular Insufficiency Syndrome with Calciphylaxis: a Case Report
    Urology & Nephrology Open Access Journal Case Report Open Access Extensive skin necrosis ulcers and systemic vascular insufficiency syndrome with calciphylaxis: a case report Abstract Volume 5 Issue 4 - 2017 Calciphylaxis is a part of systemic vascular calcification that is commonly seen in patients 1 2,3 with end stage renal disease. It presents as skin ischemia and necrosis due to calcification Alexander M Swan, Nancy J Fried, 2,3 2 of dermal arterioles. There is no consensus on optimal treatment and the condition is Charisma Lee, Thein Aung, Zaw Nyein associated with a high mortality rate. Here we report a patient on peritoneal dialysis with Aye,2 Deepthi Gunasekaran2 a high calcium-phosphorus product and extensive calciphylaxis involving the extremities, 1Wilkes University, USA back and scalp. We used a multi-interventional approach to treat this patient with a good 2Nephrology Hypertension Renal transplant and Renal Therapy, outcome. The underlying pathology of systemic vascular calcification and insufficiency USA 3 may involve other vascular beds such as the coronary and cerebral vasculature. Early Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, USA detection of these conditions may improve outcomes in these patents. Correspondence: Alexander M Swan, AA Prof of Medicine, Keywords: necrotic ulcer of skin, calciphylaxis, calcium-phosphorus product, vascular Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 S Orange Ave, Newark, calcification, systemic vascular insufficiency NJ 07103, President, Garden State Kidney Center, 345 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095, USA, Tel 732-750-5555, Fax 732- 750-5550, Email Received: November 10, 2017 | Published: October 26, 2017 Abbreviations: ESRD, end-stage renal disease; CUA, calcific secondary to hypertension and peritoneal dialys is was initiated 5years uremic arterilopathy; LMWH, low molecular weight heparin ago after multiple access problems with hemodialysis.
    [Show full text]
  • AACE Annual Meeting 2021 Abstracts Editorial Board
    June 2021 Volume 27, Number 6S AACE Annual Meeting 2021 Abstracts Editorial board Editor-in-Chief Pauline M. Camacho, MD, FACE Suleiman Mustafa-Kutana, BSC, MB, CHB, MSC Maywood, Illinois, United States Boston, Massachusetts, United States Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD, FACE Atlanta, Georgia, United States Andrea Coviello, MD, MSE, MMCi Karel Pacak, MD, PhD, DSc Durham, North Carolina, United States Bethesda, Maryland, United States Associate Editors Natalie E. Cusano, MD, MS Amanda Powell, MD Maria Papaleontiou, MD New York, New York, United States Boston, Massachusetts, United States Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Tobias Else, MD Gregory Randolph, MD Melissa Putman, MD Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Boston, Massachusetts, United States Boston, Massachusetts, United States Vahab Fatourechi, MD Daniel J. Rubin, MD, MSc Harold Rosen, MD Rochester, Minnesota, United States Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Boston, Massachusetts, United States Ruth Freeman, MD Joshua D. Safer, MD Nicholas Tritos, MD, DS, FACP, FACE New York, New York, United States New York, New York, United States Boston, Massachusetts, United States Rajesh K. Garg, MD Pankaj Shah, MD Boston, Massachusetts, United States Staff Rochester, Minnesota, United States Eliza B. Geer, MD Joseph L. Shaker, MD Paul A. Markowski New York, New York, United States Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States CEO Roma Gianchandani, MD Lance Sloan, MD, MS Elizabeth Lepkowski Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Lufkin, Texas, United States Chief Learning Officer Martin M. Grajower, MD, FACP, FACE Takara L. Stanley, MD Lori Clawges The Bronx, New York, United States Boston, Massachusetts, United States Senior Managing Editor Allen S. Ho, MD Devin Steenkamp, MD Corrie Williams Los Angeles, California, United States Boston, Massachusetts, United States Peer Review Manager Michael F.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Calcinosis and Calciphylaxis
    PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT Understanding calcinosis and calciphylaxis KEY WORDS Calcinosis cutis is a rare cause of non-healing leg ulceration. There are many factors Calcinosis cutis that can delay the healing of venous leg ulceration and the deposition of calcium in Calciphylaxis the skin known as calcinosis cutis is one of these factors. There are five distinct forms: Warfarin-induced skin dystrophic calcification, metastatic calcification, idiopathic calcification, iatrogenic necrosis calcification and calciphylaxis. Warfarin skin necrosis has common clinical features with calciphylaxis and is therefore included in this article, which describes the types of calcinosis cutis, their clinical presentations and limited treatment options. The aim is to highlight these unusual causes and to assist healthcare professionals when faced with a non-healing ulcer. eg ulceration can be defined as a defect in neurotransmission and the blood coagulation the dermis located on the leg (Franks et al, pathway. At a cellular level, it is implicated in 2016). Leg ulceration is a significant clinical cell-to-cell communication (Walshe and Fairley, Lproblem with the majority attributing venous 1995). In the skin, it is specifically concerned with hypertension as the underlying disease process with keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation and venous leg ulceration affecting 1% of the population adhesion (Smith and Yamada, 2002). in the western world (Posnett et al, 2009). However, The level of serum calcium is closely there is a multitude of causative factors of leg ulcers, controlled by the parathyroid hormone. with the term leg ulcer purely signifying the clinical Regardless of this regulation, it is possible for manifestation and not the underlying aetiology.
    [Show full text]
  • 95F325afe6daa80601f51b046b3
    D.M. DEGREE EXAMINATIONEPHROLOGY-PAPER - I Basic Sciences And Applied Nephrology 30 m 1) Discuss renal acid handling and pathomechanism of renal tubular acidosis 2) Discuss the role of ‘Klotho – FGF 23 complex’ in health and chronic kidney disease 3) Enumerate causes for hypokalemia and describe in detail about potassium homeostasis 4) The ageing kidney 5) Discuss the role of complement in renal disease 6) Discuss in detail the pathogenesis of membranous glomerulonephritis and its management 7) Discuss the etiopathogenesis of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti diuretic hormone. How can it be recognized and managed? 8) Describe Nephron dosing and its clinical relevance 9) Discuss the relevant physiological changes of pregnancy and pathogenesis of toxemia of Pregnancy 10) Discuss in brief Physiology of Vitamin D, vitamin D analogues and their role in nephrology practice 11) Discuss the pathogenesis, evaluation and management of disorders of micturition 12) Discuss in brief embryological development of the kidney and its clinical relevance 13) Discuss renal handling of sodium and diagnostic approach to hyponatremia 14) Discuss aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and management of hepato renal syndrome 15) Discuss the etiopathogenesis of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti diuretic hormone. How can it be recognized and managed? 16) Describe the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis & management of metabolic alkalosis 17) Describe the mechanism and types of proteinuria. What are the therapeutic interventions that may be used to reduce proteinuria 18) Describe the renin-angiotensin system and its physiologic role. Discuss its role in the pathophysiology of renal disease 19) Discuss pathophysiology of proteinuria, classify proteinuria, name diseases which produces different types of proteinuria.
    [Show full text]
  • A Fatal Complication Not Only in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients
    PRACA KAZUISTYCZNA Folia Cardiologica 2020 tom 15, nr 2, strony 164–168 DOI: 10.5603/FC.2020.0022 Copyright © 2020 Via Medica ISSN 2353–7752 Calciphylaxis — a fatal complication not only in end-stage renal disease patients Kalcyfilaksja — śmiertelne powikłanie nie tylko u pacjentów ze schyłkową niewydolnością nerek Ada Bielejewska1●iD, Arkadiusz Bociek1●iD, Andrzej Jaroszyński1, 2●iD 1Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland 2Nephrology Clinic, Provincial Integrated Hospital in Kielce, Poland Abstract We present a fatal case of the end-stage renal disease complication that is calciphylaxis. Also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy, it is characterised by vascular calcification, necrosis of the skin and adipose tissue, and constant severe pain of the affected areas. Key words: calciphylaxis, calcific uremic arteriolopathy, end-stage renal disease, complications Folia Cardiologica 2020; 15, 2: 164–168 Introduction some cancers (treated with chemotherapy), liver cirrhosis, and autoimmune diseases. Risk factors of calciphylaxis Calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy include, among others, haemodialysis, female sex, obesi- (CUA), is a rare disease with an estimated annual incidence ty, diabetes mellitus, Caucasian ethnicity, hypercalcemia, ranging from 1 to 35 in every 10,000 haemodialysed pa- hyperphosphatemia, hyperparathyroidism (both primary tients worldwide [1]. Its pathogenesis in unclear. Calciphyla- and secondary), adynamic bone disease, elevated al- xis affects small vessels of the skin and fatty tissue, as cal- kaline phosphatase, autoimmune diseases, hypoalbu- cium deposits accumulate within their walls. This, together minemia, genetic polymorphisms, abnormalities within with thrombotic occlusion, leads to ischaemic necrosis of the coagulation system, recurring skin trauma (e.g. from the skin that causes severe pain within the affected areas subcutaneous injections) and medications (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • A Case of Calciphylaxis and Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
    A Case of Calciphylaxis and Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia Heather W. Goff, MD; Ronald E. Grimwood, MD A 70-year-old woman presented for evaluation of trauma as physiologic challengers in calciphylaxis in symmetric necrotic ulcers of the lower extremities. humans as well.5-7 Biopsy results revealed changes consistent with calciphylaxis. The predisposing factors in this Case Report patient included calcium supplementation, obe- A woman came to our hospital for a second opinion sity, female gender, viscous blood, renal failure, regarding symmetric necrotic ulcers with central and diabetes mellitus. To our knowledge, this is leathery eschar and surrounding violaceous erythema the first report of calciphylaxis occurring in the and bullae on the inferior and posterior aspects of setting of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. We both lower extremities; these lesions had begun discuss the history, clinical presentation, diagno- developing 3 weeks earlier (Figure 1). According to sis, and treatment of calciphylaxis. the patient’s history, the lesions were initially Cutis. 2005;75:325-328. painful, hard, lumpy areas, which eventually pro- ceeded to break down into small individual viola- ceous papules with central ischemic ulceration; the alciphylaxis involves a pathologic calcifica- papules gradually eroded from about 1 cm to larger tion of nonosseous tissue for which neither than 10 cm in diameter. C hypercalcemia nor hyperphosphatemia is The patient also had risk factors for calciphy- necessary. The condition results in calcification of laxis, including calcium supplementation, obesity, subcutaneous arterioles and infarctions of subcuta- female gender, viscous blood, renal failure, and neous adipose tissue. Although the etiology of cal- diabetes mellitus. In addition, the patient had a ciphylaxis is unclear, many predisposing factors history of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, hypo- have been identified.1-3 thyroidism, and recent colon cancer resection.
    [Show full text]
  • Calciphylaxis
    Postgrad Med J 2001;77:557–561 557 Postgrad Med J: first published as 10.1136/pmj.77.911.557 on 1 September 2001. Downloaded from REVIEWS Calciphylaxis R V Mathur, J R Shortland, A M El Nahas Abstract phosphate diet act as sensitising agents result- The phenomenon of calciphylaxis is rare, ing in a high calcium-phosphate product (Ca × but potentially fatal. It has been recog- P; normal range 4.2–5.6 mmol2/l2) with result- nised for a long time in patients with ant precipitation of Ca-P crystals.14 This results chronic renal failure with secondary hy- in diVuse calcification of the media and perparathyroidism. Disturbed calcium internal elastic lamina of small to medium and phosphate metabolism can result in sized arteries and arterioles with intimal prolif- painful necrosis of skin, subcutaneous tis- eration and rarely arterial occlusion causing sue and acral gangrene. Appearance of the tissue necrosis. This entity was given the term lesions is distinctive but the pathogenesis calcinosis cutis to signify vascular calcification remains uncertain. The beneficial eVects with ischaemic epidermolysis as seen in of parathyroidectomy are controversial. patients with chronic renal failure on However, correction of hyperphosphatae- haemodialysis.15–17 Other triggering events in- mia or occasionally hypercalcaemia is clude intravenous iron dextran and albumin imperative. Fulminant sepsis as a conse- infusion, low serum albumin, corticosteroids, quence of secondary infection of necrotic immunosuppression, trauma, subcutaneous in- and gangrenous tissue is a frequent cause jections in obese patients, and protein C and S of patient morbidity and mortality. deficiencies causing hypercoagulability and 8 12 16 18–25 (Postgrad Med J 2001;77:557–561) subsequent thrombosis.
    [Show full text]
  • Dermatology Grand Rounds 2019 Skin Signs of Internal Disease
    Dermatology Grand Rounds 2019 skin signs of internal disease John Strasswimmer, MD, PhD Affiliate Clinical Professor (Dermatology), FAU College of Medicine Research Professor of Biochemistry, FAU College of Science Associate Clinical Professor, U. Miami Miller School of Medicine Dermatologist and Internal Medicine “Normal” abnormal skin findings in internal disease • Thyroid • Renal insufficiency • Diabetes “Abnormal” skin findings as clue to internal disease • Markers of infectious disease • Markers of internal malignancy risk “Consultation Cases” • Very large dermatology finding • A very tiny dermatology finding Dermatologist and Internal Medicine The "Red and Scaly” patient “Big and Small” red rashes not to miss The "Red and Scaly” patient • 29 Year old man with two year pruritic eruption • PMHx: • seasonal allergies • childhood eczema • no medications Erythroderma Erythroderma • Also called “exfoliative dermatitis” • Not stevens-Johnson / toxic epidermal necrosis ( More sudden onset, associated with target lesions, mucosal) • Generalized erythema and scale >80-90% of body surface • May be associated with telogen effluvium It is not a diagnosis per se Erythroderma Erythroderma Work up 1) Exam for pertinent positives and negatives: • lymphadenopathy • primary skin lesions (i.e. nail pits of psoriasis) • mucosal involvement • Hepatosplenomagaly 2) laboratory • Chem 7, LFT, CBC • HIV • Multiple biopsies over time 3) review of medications 4) age-appropriate malignancy screening 5) evaluate hemodynamic stability Erythroderma Management 1)
    [Show full text]
  • Fast Facts Core Curriculum Renal
    ! Fast Facts Core Curriculum Renal #114 Myoclonus . 2-3 #133 Non-Oral Hydration in Palliative Care. 4-5 #134 Non-Oral Hydration Techniques in Palliative Care . .6-7 #161 Opioid Use in Renal Failure . 8-9 #163 Decision Making in Chronic Kidney Disease . 10-11 #191 Prognostication in Patients Receiving Dialysis . 12-14 #207 Withdrawal of Dialysis: Decision- Making . .15-16 #208 Clinical Care Following Withdrawal of Dialysis . 17-18 #220 Hypodermoclysis . 19-21 #287 Drug-Induced Acute Urinary Retention . 22-24 #313 Thirst in Palliative Care . 25-27 !1 #325 Uremic Calciphylaxis . .28-30 #337 Palliation of Bladder Spasms . 31-33 !2 ! FAST FACTS AND CONCEPTS #114 MYOCLONUS Nicholas DeMonaco and Robert Arnold MD Background Myoclonus is an abnormal movement described as a sudden, brief, shock-like, involuntary movement caused by active muscle contraction (positive myoclonus) or inhibition of ongoing muscle contraction (negative myoclonus). Myoclonus can have a distribution that is focal, multifocal, or generalized. This Fast Fact discusses its causes, evaluation, and therapy. Characteristics and Differential Diagnosis Hiccups are an example of normal, physiological positive myoclonus, while asterixis is an example of negative myoclonus seen with metabolic encephalopathy. In nocturnal myoclonus or periodic leg movement disorder, there is activity in the flexor muscles of the legs and feet during light sleep. It can be seen in the setting of chronic nervous system diseases or in elderly patients with no other abnormalities. The brief, shock-like movements of myoclonus may be difficult to distinguish from other involuntary movements such as cramps, spasms, fasciculations, and dystonia. Fasciculations are brief involuntary muscle twitches that, unlike myoclonus, often do not result in movement across a joint.
    [Show full text]
  • Calciphylaxis in Renal Substitution Therapy Calcifilaxis En Terapia De Sustitución Renal
    Rev. Colomb. Nefrol. 2019;6(1): 68-72, january – june 2019 http://www.revistanefrologia.org Rev. Colomb. Nefrol. 2019;6(1): 68-72Cas, eneroe - junireporto de 201 9 http://www.revistanefrologia.org doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.22265/acnef.6.1.327http:/ /dx.doi.org/10.22265/acnef.6.1.327 Calciphylaxis in renal substitution therapy Calcifilaxis en terapia de sustitución renal Diego Alexander Mendoza Panta, Jorge Washington Huertas Garzón, Washington Xavier Osorio Chuquitarco Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital de Especialidades FF. AA. No. 1. Quito, Ecuador Abstract Calciphylaxis is one of the less common complications of Chronic Advanced Kidney Disease, especially in renal replacement therapy, the exact pathophysiology of its appearance is unknown, but it is believed that it is due to an alteration in bone-mineral metabolism. We describe a clinical case of a patient with chronic kidney disease, who presented as a serious complication calciphylaxis, reaching this diagnosis thanks to the characteristic images of this pathology taken from the bank of the Hospital’s imaging service. In conclusion, calciphylaxis, despite being a pathology difficult to find nowadays due to better control of bone-mineral metabolism, should be considered especially in those patients with rapid progression of renal disease and presence of suppurative calcified lesions in extremities. Key words: chronic kidney disease, calciphylaxis, bone-mineral metabolism, renal replacement therapy. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.22265/acnef.6.1.327 Resumen La calcifilaxis es una de las complicaciones menos comunes de la enfermedad renal crónica avanzada, sobre todo en terapia de sustitución renal, se desconoce la fisiopatología exacta de aparición, pero se cree, que es por una alteración en el metabolismo óseo- mineral.
    [Show full text]
  • Electrolytes in the ICU Syed Zaidi, Rahul Bollam and Kainat Saleem
    Chapter Electrolytes in the ICU Syed Zaidi, Rahul Bollam and Kainat Saleem Abstract Electrolyte disorders is an imbalance of certain ionized salts (sodium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, chloride) in the blood. Healthcare providers should be famil- iar with the principles of electrolyte physiology and pathophysiology. Disturbances in sodium homeostasis are primarily caused by volume abnormalities leading to primarily neurologic symptoms. Dyskalemias frequently present with cardiac man- ifestations therefore should be treated promptly before evaluating its cause. Ion deficiencies such as hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia and hypophosphatemia should be corrected as they are associated with increased adverse events in critically ill patients. Keywords: Electrolytes, Sodium, Potassium, critically ill, ICU 1. Introduction Electrolytes are elements that naturally occur in the human body and help balance pH, facilitate passage of fluid through osmosis and regulate the function of neuromuscular, endocrine and excretory systems. Disturbances in these electrolytes are common clinical problems encountered in the intensive care unit with serious complications when they are depleted. Recent studies report that electrolyte imbal- ances are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Possible mechanisms include damage to the kidney, activation of hormonal systems (such as RAAS) or the myriad of medication given in a critically ill patient. This chapter will focus on various electrolyte abnormalities seen in the critical care setting then touch on important ICU scenarios which could affect electrolytes. 2. Disorders of sodium homeostasis • Serum sodium reflects the plasma tonicity and is inversely related to total body water. Changes in sodium are generally due to changes in total body water, not serum sodium, which regulates plasma tonicity and effective arterial volume.
    [Show full text]